‘If he was even half decent’ – Neville claims Liverpool star would be ‘one of greatest’ if he did ‘basics’
Gary Neville reckons Trent Alexander-Arnold “would be one of the greatest full-backs of all time if he was even half decent” at defending.
Alexander-Arnold scored a magnificent free-kick as Liverpool eased past Leicester on Monday night, to keep Jurgen Klopp’s side with an outside chance of finishing in the top four.
After an inauspicious start to the season Alexander-Arnold’s form has picked up of late, with the Reds full-back claiming six assists in five games in April.
But he continues to be criticised for his defending, particularly in one-on-one situations, and Neville reckons that aspect of his game is holding the Liverpool star back from become one of the all-time greats of the game.
“He’s been a key player for four or five years. His ability on the ball, and what he’s doing in terms of his contribution to Liverpool’s attack, is absolutely unprecedented. I’ve never seen a full-back have an impact on a team like he does from a point of view of his attacking play.
“It’s just sometimes in those games where he gets caught one-on-one or he just looks like he doesn’t do the basics well when they’re away from home or playing a massive match in Europe.
“If he was even just half a decent defender, he would be one of the greatest full-backs of all time, and still can be.”
Alexander-Arnold has been moving into a more central role from his customary full-back position in the second half of this season, but Neville said last month that he doesn’t believe the England international is up to playing in midfield.
He said: “Alexander-Arnold would drift into midfield in any case given the freedom being at right-back gives him, but if he was actually down to play in midfield away from home in the Premier League and he was getting the ball popped into him, when he’s got his back to play, that’s a different ball game.
“Some of the best midfielders in the world, the Xavis, Iniestas, they’re the ones who can manipulate the ball and Rodri does it very well. Trent wouldn’t be able to do that, honestly.
“It’s something we’ve said before about Declan Rice, and his ability to receive the ball on the half turn. You’ve got to be a top player who has played hundreds of games as a kid, looking over your shoulder.
“I’ve heard it said a number of times about full-backs being able to play in midfield before… ‘he can play wide, he can play as a winger’ – no they can’t. That’s why they’re full-backs.”